103. Hail to the Lord's Anointed

1 Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
Great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.

2 He comes with succour speedy
To those who suffer wrong,
To help the poor and needy
And bid the weak be strong.
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Are precious in His sight.

3 He shall come down like showers,
Upon the fruitful earth,
And joy and hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth.
Before Him on the mountains
Shall peace, the herald, go
And righteousness, in fountains,
From hill to valley flow.

4 Arabia's desert ranger
To Him shall bow the knee,
The Ethiopian stranger
His glory come to see;
With off'rings of devotion
Ships from the isles shall meet
To pour the wealth of ocean
In tribute at His feet.

5 Kings shall bow down before Him
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing.
To Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend,
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end.

6 O'er every foe victorious,
He on His throne shall rest.
From age to age more glorious,
All-blessing and all-blest.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand for ever--
That Name to us is Love.